Posts Tagged ‘Nnamdi Asomugha’

Former Eagle Nnamdi Asomugha marries ‘Scandal’ star Kerry Washington

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Scandal! Did former Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha marry “Scandal” star Kerry Washington?

The depths of the disappointment that was CB Nnamdi Asomugha’s career with the Philadelphia Eagles cannot be overstated. When his time with the Birds ended earlier this year, no fan of the midnight green shed a tear.

We have yet to see if Nnamdi will deliver the same underwhelming coverage for the 49ers defense this season, but his personal life is on the uptick with his return to the West Coast. E! reports that the defensive back and “Scandal” star actress Kerry Washington are now married.

Not exactly a Scandal, but this is certainly a surprise!

Kerry Washington married San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on June 24 in Blaine County, Idaho, E! News exclusively confirms.”

Idaho? Really? They were both okay with that?

According to Black Sports Online , the NFL star is merely dating Washington. Robert Littal’s opening line is one that will make Eagles fans either laugh or cry:

“Hopefully, Nnamdi won’t blow this relationship, like he blew coverages with the Eagles, but I digress.”

It’s possible that this is one situation that Asomugha was able to successfully cover completely, so good for him. Just like old (pre-Eagles) times.

Whether they are betrothed or merely dating, they are certainly a gorgeous couple.

Now, stay tuned for another episode of “As the Offseason Turns!”

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

One Month ‘til the Draft: Who’s the Best Pick for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Monday, March 25th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

As March draws to a close, football’s focus turns increasingly to the upcoming 2013 NFL draft, which is exactly one month away.  The Philadelphia Eagles will get the spotlight early, selecting fourth due to their abysmal 4-12 2012 season.  With the stakes so high, Philadelphia cannot afford to miss with their draft choice.

 

This year’s draft will be different from that of 2012, including the fact that the first and second choice picks are not known.  In fact, there is not a clear consensus as to which prospect will be drafted first.  There isn’t the killer crop of quarterbacks that we saw last year.  But the draft is always a different animal from year to year.  The Eagles need to make the most of the talent present in 2013 and choose wisely.  So who might they choose?

 

There is a lot of buzz surrounding Alabama corner Dee Milliner (6’0, 201), particularly after the deficiencies of Philadelphia’s secondary in the past few seasons.  The corner is known for a remarkable combination of athleticism and size.  Milliner appears on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft as the second-best overall player in the draft, saying

 

“Nnamdi Asomugha won’t be wearing an Eagles uniform in 2013, and in a division with Eli Manning, Tony Romo and Robert Griffin III, the Eagles can’t simply attempt to piece together the secondary.  They need talent, and Milliner offers the best cornerback talent in the draft.  Not a tough pick.”

 

Can the Birds get him?

 

Mike Mayock ranks 6’2, 311 pound Star Lotulelei of Utah as the top defensive end for a 3-4 system, which certainly has to make him of possible interest to the Birds, particularly after racking up 42 tackles, 11 for loss, 5 sacks in his senior year.

 

Chip Kelly is plenty familiar with 3-4 outside linebacker Dion Jordan (6’6, 248), also ranked as the top in his position in the draft.  His height allows him to quickly cover a lot of ground and get to tight ends and slot receivers in the open field.

 

Philadelphia could also use some help on the offensive line, with Jason Peters and Jason Kelce coming off of ACL injuries and former first rounder Danny Watkins showing repeatedly that he cannot provide what the line needs.  Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel (6’6, 306) is considered by many to be the top overall talent in the draft.  However, if he still around when the Eagles are on the clock it will be a pick that will be hard to refuse.  If Joeckel is not available, perhaps the Birds will consider Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher (6’7, 306), who NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks describes as, “adding an athletic edge blocker with tremendous potential.”

 

Half of the fun of the draft is the anticipation.  The waiting, the wondering, the storylines that may unfold leading up to draft day that may change a player’s standing.  But the Eagles have got to hit their pick out of the park and pick up a player that will add immediate impact to team.  Who will that player be?  Only 31 days left to find out.

 

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

 

Philadelphia Eagles Focus on Defense and Special Teams in Free Agency

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn’t a full-on frenzy for the Philadelphia Eagles in the first day of free agency, but they certainly made a splash by signing five players.  CB Bradley Fletcher and LB Jason Phillips signed 2-year deals with the team, while TE James Casey, S Patrick Chung and DL Isaac Sopoaga struck 3-year deals.

The fact that four of the five deals made were with defensive players reflects Philadelphia’s strongest overall need.  And with the release of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie being allowed to walk into free agency, replacing the severely depleted Eagles secondary is chief among the priorities for this team.

Unlike that infamous summer in 2011, the Birds aren’t waving money around at the biggest names available in free agency.  Rather, they have so far taken a  more low-key approach, inking lesser-known players who they believe will truly make an impact on the team.  There was also a decided emphasis on strong special teams performances with these signings.

Some background on each player:

S Bradley Fletcher – Fletcher (6-0, 200) was a third round selection of  the St. Louis Rams in 2009 out of Iowa.  In four seasons with the Rams, he posted 169 tackles and five interceptions, starting in 26 of 43 games.  The 26-year-old played in all 16 games in 2012, making four starts and notching 25 tackles, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble and one sack.  Bradley’s best season came in 2010 when he started in 15 of 16 games and led the team with four interceptions.

TE James Casey – Casey  (6-3, 240) was a fifth round draft choice of Houston in 2009 out of Rice University, where he was a running back on the team.  He is a versatile presence, playing in 61 games (20 starts) in four years with the Texans as both a fullback and tight end.  The 28-year-old set career highs in 2012 in receptions (34), receiving yards (330) and touchdowns (3).  He has notched a total of 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns in his NFL career.

S Patrick Chung – Chung (5-11, 210) was a second round pick for the Patriots in 2009.  Head coach is familiar with Chung’s skill set, as the player was a four-year starter at Oregon.  In four seasons with New England, he totaled 235 tackles, seven interceptions, three sacks, and 19 passes defensed.  Chung has played in 50 games in the NFL with 30 starts and has  racked up 25 special teams tackles.  In a win over the Miami Dolphins on 10/4/10, Chung blocked a punt, blocked a field goal, and returned an interception for a touchdown, all in the same game.

LB Jason Phillips – Phillips (6-1, 240) was a fifth round selection of Baltimore in 2009 out of Texas Christian University.  He  ultimately spent  time with both the Ravens and Carolina Panthers in his four-year career as a reserve linebacker and special teams contributor, appearing in 29 total games.  The 27-year-old played in all 16 games (two starts) for the Panthers in 2012 and led the team with 16 special teams tackles.

DL Isaac Sopoaga – Sopoaga (6-2, 330) has been a key contributor to the 49ers defensive line over the last nine seasons, recording 447 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 125 career games (80 starts).  He was originally a fourth-round pick from Hawaii of the 49ers in 2004.  Sopoaga has experience at both defensive tackle and nose tackle.  In 2012, Sopoaga played in 15 games (10 starts) and amassed 55 tackles and one sack.  He also had eight tackles and one sack in the postseason.  At 31-years old Sopoaga is older than the rest of the free agent signings but his experience, versatility, and success in a 3-4 defense speak for themselves.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

It’s Official: Nnamdi Asomugha Cut by the Philadelphia Eagles

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The symbol of the failed Philadelphia Eagles free agent signing frenzy of 2011 has finally been released by the team after two tremendously disappointing seasons.

A statement released by GM Howie Roseman is a follows:

“Coach Kelly and I each had a chance to speak with Nnamdi earlier and he took the news with a lot of class.  We expected nothing less than that from him.  He has been a true pro on and off the field for this organization and our community and we wish him all the best as he continues his NFL career.  We spoke to his representatives at the Combine about his future status with the team and wanted to take time to analyze and make a decision.  In the end, Coach and I both felt we needed to move in a different direction at the cornerback position for 2013 and beyond.”

Along with the firing, Asomugha took with him the $4 million dollars still owed to him by the team per his contract.  The Pro Bowl corner will now test how much his disappointing performance with Philadelphia has impacted his value on the free market.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

Philadelphia Eagles: Will Nnamdi Asomugha Stay or Will He Go?

Sunday, February 24th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Nnamdi Asomugha – will he be here in 2013?

 

It’s about time.

The news from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday morning was music to the ears of Philadelphia Eagles fans:

“@AdamSchefter: When two sides meet this am, Eagles will ask CB Nnamdi Asomugha to restructure contract or they will release him. Asomugha guaranteed $4mil.”

Fairly or unfairly, Asomugha has become the poster child for the many failures on both sides of the ball  that plagued the Birds during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.  His 5-year, $60 million contract, which seemed like a good move when forged in the summer of 2011 for the hottest free agent on the market, now leaves us scratching our heads.

I was willing to give him the benefit in the 2011 season.  New team, a defensive coordinator new to the team and no offseason.  Asomugha would find his groove in 2012.

Until he didn’t.  His star had fallen so far that quarterbacks were deliberately targeting him, and for good reason.  Very often he missed his coverage, looking at teammates in confusion as if someone else should have had that guy.

By the middle of the 2012 season, it was painfully clear that there were no more excuses.  We were duped by Nnamdi.

So now, while looking at the next faces of the NFL in Indianapolis at the Combine, the Eagles have decided that the time is right to figure out what to do about the Asomugha situation.  Nnamdi’s agent, Ben Dogra, met with the Eagles Friday morning but there has been no word from either side since.

On Thursday, head coach Chip Kelly was asked what he thought about Asomugha.  His response was stunningly underwhelming.

“I think that Nnamdi has a skill set.  That can play football.”

Erm…wow.  Kelly was effusive with his praise, no?

Unfortunately, whether Asomugha stays with the team or goes elsewhere, Philadelphia will owe him $4 million  (his base salary for 2013 under his current deal is $15 million).  And then there is the other money already down the drain due to the deal that seemed to be a slam dunk but turned out to be the most embarrassing of air balls.

Asomugha has said that Philadelphia is where he wants his be, but is it time to admit that his stay here has been an utter and complete failure and allow him to move on?  It may not be that simple, and the Pro Bowl corner’s market value will take a substantial hit from the fact that he was part of a defense that allowed a franchise-worst 33 passing touchdowns in 2012.  Everyone in the league saw the same mistakes time and time again that we witnessed.

Will the Eagles let Nnamdi walk and try their luck at some of the young talent they are witnessing up close at the Combine this weekend?  We’ll all be watching closely to see if Philadelphia is ready to turn the chapter on the man who was a shutdown corner in Oakland but came to Philly and…wasn’t.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

Nnamdi Asomugha Believes Things Will Turn Around for Himself and the Philadelphia Eagles

Monday, November 26th, 2012

Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

  Fairly or unfairly, if there is one player who represents the underperformance of the 2011 and 2012 Philadelphia Eagles, it is Nnamdi Asomugha.

When the Birds landed the three-time Pro Bowl corner in the free agent spending spree that followed the NFL lockout in the summer of 2011, it seemed that the sky was the limit for the team.  In hindsight, it’s hard to fault Vince Young for his “Dream Team” comment, particularly after they landed the most prized free agent of the year in corner Nnamdi Asomugha.  In those early moments of a shortened training camp, it seemed that with the talent the Birds had locked up, the sky was the limit for the squad.

Or not.  Asomugha, along with his team, struggled in 2011.  Maybe he needed time to acclimate to a new system.  Perhaps he wasn’t being utilized properly.  Maybe things would get better when Philadelphia offloaded Asante Samuel.

After embracing Jeffrey Lurie’s notion that 8-8 wasn’t good enough, this offseason again generated new hope.  Players like Asomugha were confident.  They had a season of  Juan Castillo’s system under their belts.  Unlike the previous offseason, there was time to work with their teammates in OTAs and minicamps and truly gel as a team.  For real this time — THIS was going to be the year.

Until, once again, it wasn’t.  In the middle of a season that is unbearably miserable, Asomugha still has failed to deliver.  He has just one interception and has fallen so far in the eyes of his opponents that he’s not even seen as a threat.  Teams now throw towards him and why not?  They are having a great success doing so.  Opposing quarterbacks have a 110.4 QB rating when throwing in Asomugha’s direction so far this season, according to ProFootballFocus.  He has just one interception.  This is not working out as anyone planned, including Asomugha.

Asomugha knows that he is being heavily criticized and deserves it.  He opened up to reporters on Friday to discuss that reality.

“Obviously, it hasn’t been as good as I wanted it to be.  As far as team and individually, my expectations were so high, and then things just kind of just hit really quickly and it was like team-wise and player-wise, it was kind of like playing catch-up, trying to get it back on the right foot.”

“So that part of it has been difficult.  But I still keep that faith and believe that at some point the thing will turn, because the mindset is keep working hard, keep pushing and at some point, it’s going to turn.  And that’s just what I believe.”

For Eagles players and coaches to continue to get on the field each and every week they have to believe that things will change.  That they will improve.  Otherwise, who would suit up to be humiliated by bad teams every week?  Asomugha believes that things will turn around, but when will that be, exactly?  And why has he struggled so much in his career as a Philadelphia Eagle?

At least Asomugha knows how poorly an attempt at an explanation will be perceived these days.  We are far beyond the point of needing words.  All we will believe is improved play on the field.

“I think there’s a lot of things that go into it, but I think to say anything about that now would kind of be like making an excuse.”

“So my mind is focused on turning it around instead of why hasn’t it or what has been the issue.  I don’t want to get into that and make it seem like there’s an excuse.  You know?”

What Asomugha knows is the frustration of being a fan and seeing a player you expect to come up big fail to do so week after week.  So, unlike some of his teammates, he’s not going to lash out at the Eagles fanbase.  He understands where they’re coming from.

“As a fan I can look back to teams that I like and a player that I’ve liked  comes in and expecting it to just change, and it not working out and being upset about that,” he said.  “I can’t now be that guy and look at them and say, ‘You can’t be upset that we haven’t won and I haven’t been Superman on the field’ even though that’s what has been expected of me.”

The Eagles will face many big questions at the end of the season, one of which will be whether or not to hang on to Nnamdi. He is set to earn $15 million in 2013 if he stays in Philly, $4 million of that guaranteed.  And this is where he wants to be.

“I absolutely believe in the decision I have made and believe in this team.”

There are six more games in the season for us to see Asomugha make that turn he referred to.  He is certainly not the only player on the team, or even the defense, who needs to improve dramatically so that this team has a chance to win games.  Will he be back next year?  We’ll see.  For now, let’s see whether Asomugha can help to neutralize the potent combination of Cam Newton throwing to Steve Smith against the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Should They Stay or Should They Go?

Friday, November 16th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

The Philadelphia Eagles have two highly touted corners in Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie whose futures with the team are uncertain after this season.

 

Rodgers-Cromartie is set to become a free agent.  However, making a deal with him or any other player is not a priority for the Birds at the moment.  With a 3-6 record and preparing to start a rookie quarterback on Sunday, the team’s focus is rightly on getting things done on the field.

 

DRC will make $1,963,750 this year.  But the far bigger paycheck goes to Nnamdi Asomugha, who is set to earn a staggering $15 million in base salary next season with $4 million guaranteed.  Jeff McLane of the Inquirer believes that the Birds will hang on to Asomugha, so as not to take a $4 million hit, but that his salary will be cut based on his production.

 

Speaking of on-field production, quarterbacks have a whopping 109.5 passer rating when throwing in Asomugha’s direction.  To say that’s damning is putting it mildly.  When throwing towards Rodgers-Cromartie  the figure is 62.4.  Nnamdi has only one pick on the season, while DRC has three, which all came in September.

 

Nnamdi Asomugha is in many ways the poster child for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.  So much excitement surrounding the potential, and then nothing.  Will the Eagles bring him back for one more try in 2013 or choose to cut their losses and move on in the blood bath that will likely come at the end of the season?

 

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

 

Cowboys vs Eagles Preview: Desperate for a Win

Sunday, November 11th, 2012

by Brandon Campbell

 

 

 

 

Today’s showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field marks a battle of desperation.  Two organizations who entered the season with high expectations now see their teams sitting at a disappointing 3-5, with already slim chances of contending for a playoff spot on the line this week.

Both Philadelphia and Dallas are teams more similar than we’d like to admit.  Two squads filled with talent that can’t seem to put it all together on the field.  Two quarterbacks in Mike Vick and Tony Romo plagued with turnover troubles whose fanbases are coming to the painful realization that they are not the ones who will lead them to the promised land of a Super Bowl ring.  And growing calls for the end of the coaching tenures of Andy Reid and Jason Garrett.

In facing the Cowboys’ 5th-ranked defense, Philadelphia’s decimated offensive line catches a slight break with the injury of ILB Sean Lee.  But they will have their hands full with the force that is DeMarcus Ware, who is tied with Clay Matthews for the most sacks in the NFL with 9.  Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will move Ware around but anywhere he goes, Philadelphia’s o-line will struggle.

Demetress Bell will start at left tackle, where he will hopefully be slightly less of a disaster than he was when he stepped in for the injured Todd Herremans on the right in New Orleans.  King Dunlap will fill Herremans’ former roll at RT this week.  Dallas Reynolds will return at center, as will Evan Mathis at LG and Dennis Kelly at RG.

The Birds saw Vick sacked a season high 7 times and only managed a meager 13 points against New Orleans, the worst defense in the league.  Philadelphia must find a way to protect Vick, and the QB’s decision-making must help the line and keep him out of harm’s way as well.  For the Eagles to have any success they must involve LeSean McCoy and the run game prominently in their game plan to ease the burden of pass protection off the line.

Philadelphia, who went 0-5 in the red zone against the Saints last week, must make trips down the field count and get points on the board in order to begin to right the ship and win this game.

The Eagles D faces a quarterback in Romo who has the most interceptions in the NFL and a team that can’t get its running game going in light of an injured DeMarco Murray, who isn’t expected to play.  Wideout Dez Bryant has 42 catches this season and is a talented but inconsistent target.  Nnamdi Asomugha, who has struggled mightily since signing with the Eagles last year, was very successful against Bryant in the last meeting between Dallas and Philadelphia, so we’ll see if that success can be replicated today.

WR Miles Austin is neck and neck with Bryant with 41 catches, but Romo’s favorite weapon is tight end Jason Witten, who has 58 catches on the season.  The Eagles defense has gotten worse since changing to DC Todd Bowles.  If there is any game to step up and show improvement, it’s against the Cowboys.  The Eagles know that with Murray down the Cowboys have no option but to pass.  Romo has 10 TDs and 13 interceptions and, while throwing with 66% accuracy, he is killing the Cowboys offense with poor third down efficiency and turnovers.  Faced with a turnover machine and a decent but not fierce Dallas o-line, can the defense finally get the job done?

No predictions this time except for an ugly game between two woefully underperforming teams.  If the Eagles can’t pull this off at home we are in big, big trouble.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

Why Benching Mike Vick Won’t Fix the Philadelphia Eagles

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Everyone must stand alone.

For anyone who watched the Philadelphia Eagles’ third straight loss on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons,  it was clear that the game was lost overwhelmingly because of the pitiful showing by the team’s defense.

However, on Monday, the headlines surrounding the game were dominated by talk of benching quarterback Mike Vick.

The Eagles’ offense was certainly not stellar in the game, as has been the case all season.  They played it safe, and that paid off in terms of having no turnovers.  Vick’s numbers for the day, in the wind and rain that signaled the start of Hurricane Sandy, were 21 out of 35 passes for 191 passing and 42 rushing yards.

Nothing tremendous, but — pardon the pun — passable.

What was abhorrent was the play of the defense.  The first game for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is one he wishes could be re-done.  In the 30-17 loss, the defense simply could not stop the Falcons offense.  It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter that the D finally stopped Atlanta from scoring on a drive.  Prior to that, the Falcons had gotten points on the board from every single possession in the game.

The Eagles D finally broke its drought on quarterback sacks (one each by Cullen Jenkins and Cedric Thornton) but still could not bring pressure to Matt Ryan.  The secondary was woeful, with more questions about Nnamdi Asomugha’s value to the team versus that of his contract swirling more than ever before.  Prior to the game, the Falcons had little rushing game to speak of.  However, running backs Jacquizz Rodgers and Michael Turner were able to combine for 118 yards on the ground.

It was a failure in every way possible for the Philadelphia Eagles defense.  But somehow, the focus is on Mike Vick.

Andy Reid has once again helped to spark the questions and controversy, saying that he would evaluate everything closely to decide if a change is needed at QB.  That seems to be a constant state of affairs in Philadelphia these days.  But what is more disturbing are Vick’s comments on the situation.

“Obviously he’s thinking about making a change at the quarterback position. The thing I do know, and I’ll go and watch the film and I’ll evaluate myself, is that I’m giving us every opportunity to win.  I’m trying my hardest.  Some things don’t go right when I want them to.  Some things do.  So if that’s a decision that coach wants to make, then I support it.”

When your quarterback’s confidence begins to publicly waiver, you’re in trouble.  Vick’s unquestioning belief in himself at times this season has been maddening, but it’s a swagger that you need in the star athlete you’re expecting to lead your team day in and day out.  For the first time, cracks in Vick’s armor revealed themselves on Sunday and more than a lack of confidence, Vick revealed what seems to be a problem for this Eagles team as a whole.

They are at an utter and complete loss as to what to do to get better and how to do it.  That goes from head coach Andy Reid on down to the players.

That’s a problem.

The Eagles clearly have no idea how to fix the issues the plague them and the most damning sign of all is the fact that the team now seems to be getting worse.  When players were asked following the game what the problem was, no one had an answer.  They hung their heads and mumbled.  And neither firing Juan Castillo nor having their behinds handed to them at that Linc seems to have motivated this team.  So we’re  now left with a collection of lost men.

Time to panic after one bad game?  No, but we’re not talking about a single contest.  The team has played poorly all season, and after three straight losses they look worse than ever.

Ironically, the defense wasn’t the problem this season and yet Castillo was fired.  Following that pattern, I suppose benching Vick is the solution that would follow for this team.  Because it doesn’t make a lick of sense.

The Philadelphia Eagles are a team imploding before our eyes.  They’ve lost faith in themselves and they appear to be a team without answers.  At some point you’d hope that the Birds would stand up and fight to prove that they are as good as so many, including myself, believe they are and can be.  But it appears that they can’t.  Or, even worse, that they just don’t want to.

This team wants an easy fix.  Pointing the finger at Vick is simple.  Turning the finger at themselves collectively?  It seems to be something that Philadelphia is incapable of doing.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

Andy Reid’s Promise to Philadelphia Eagles Fans: ‘I’m Going to Get it Right’

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

“I can understand their frustration, absolutely.  I clearly understand that.  I feel the frustration.  I mean, I understand.  I’ve got it.  My job and responsibility is to get it better; not only for them but for this football team, to get it better.  They have my word that I’m going to do that.  I’m going to get it right.”

 

These were Andy Reid’s words on Monday when asked if he understood the frustration of Philadelphia Eagles fans.  What sticks out most from his remarks is that last sentence — “I’m going to get it right.”

There is no doubt that Reid wants to do what he says.  The question if he can do it.

After a promising 3-1 start, the Eagles season seems a lot like the 2011 campaign.  Lots of promise, little to show for it.  Sloppy play.  Lack of discipline.  And though Reid has said that he loves the grit of this team, the heart of some  is now being called into question by other players.

Said veteran wide receiver Jason Avant,

“It’s undisciplined football.  An undisciplined team at this point.  Six games in, it’s embarrassing.  That’s the word.  Embarrassing.  For coaches.  And veteran players.”

“With the mindset of, ‘Me before the team,’ in certain instances.  And we need to address that.”

Whoa.  For the ever-reserved and diplomatic Avant to speak out so bluntly about the problems of the teams says a lot about the situation with this team and this locker room.  And things are starting to look about as bad off the field as they do on it.

Is Avant speaking out about one member of the team or several?  His mention of the play of the team being embarrassing for coaches and veteran players excludes younger individuals on the team.  The clear implication is that they are not taking the Birds’ poor performances seriously.  Is a division between young and old beginning to take shape in the looker room?

Reid said that he will be working hard to work out the issues that plague the Eagles during the bye week, willing to “tear things apart” to find a solution.  Avant’s remarks, combined with the open frustration of Nnamdi Asomugha with the play calling on defense in the last quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Lions, shows that the Eagles are about ready to tear things apart themselves.

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Birds.  Will there be dramatic changes from Reid with regard to coaching decisions?  I won’t hold my breathe.  But it is abundantly clear that things cannot continue as they are.  The luck that came to the Eagles in their first three wins has run out.  Now it  must be well-played, smart and disciplined football that wins games.

Can the Eagles do it?  Well, we have Andy Reid’s promise now.  So there’s that.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports